Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I see I often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides for you to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as info about law libraries for those that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and also the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free. I like the tips and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known legal act ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you want to research, what resources will allow you with generate profits . to find, and being aware of your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know what you’re really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such exactly how resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many legal businesses will have a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides brief a closer look at what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. All of these are crucial depending on your particular trouble. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases in the law library.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what in instances is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further that can you guaranteed that you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are trying to make a case yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the associated with things lawyers know lots of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, ought to put genuine find in written form for those asked you find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough while the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to the court and the judge process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach yet to become familiar with. It’s very short, that this will necessary non-lawyer a little example of methods to from the law and accomplish finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person definitely would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but decent resource. As there are a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to do legal research but does not know where to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of this legal research process for everyone without a law degree.